About Vanessa Muri
Montreal City Editor Vanessa Muri has lived in London and Tokyo, but finds the charms of her hometown irresistible. From the latest scoops to the best deals in Montreal and everything in between, don't miss her weekly take on life in the fair city.
Behind The Hype
montreal musings Montreal
(Oct.28.09)
Now, I’ve already summed up Montreal Fashion Week, with an emphasis on wearable clothes and interesting designs. But there was one show that didn’t quite fit the mold. The Micalla jewellery show was the talk of the week – and apparently Toronto Fashion Week as well.
The press cocktail started with male models (in naught but jeans) coming into the centre of the room and assuming various poses. A woman came out and “dressed” them with the jewellery; a brilliant cuff here, a stone necklace there. Eventually they filed out (to the dismay of the rapt audience) and women modeled the rest of the designs, slicked-back hair and endlessly long legs included.
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Everyone enjoyed the show, but I didn't get a close enough look at the actual jewels. And these pictures don’t quite do them justice either. I dug a little deeper behind the scenes to learn more about the line. Here are a few more photos to give you a better look.
Each piece is designed and handcrafted by Danish import, Camilla Jorgensen. She has an interesting and varied background, leaving a career in retail ownership to work for UNICEF and the ICRC for Operation Lifeline Sudan, which provides relief supplies and medication to war-torn Sudan. There she met and married a Canadian pilot and settled down in Montreal, where she opened her studio in 2007.
I adore precious and semi-precious stones, and these crystals (part of her newer callura line, co-branded with Swarovski) would make any outfit pop. So I asked her about the inspiration behind the Burlesque-themed show and the beautiful designs themselves:
“Yes...my concept sort of grew stronger and stronger after having been accepted to Montreal Fashion week. I really wanted something that was uniquely MICALLA and all of a sudden having jewellery on male models became the key for me. In fact, our next ad campaign is going to reflect that.
(And) I loved the stones unique colours and patterns. It just amazes me that nature keeps surprising us with the most beautiful colour combinations that you can possibly imagine.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself. What do you think?
(photo credit Carlos Davila)
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